Well, the Italian news outlet believe Crystal Palace expressed admiration for the Angola international in 2020 when he was in top form under Vincenzo Italiano, and they have now reignited their interest in the striker. Nzola has rediscovered his form under Luca Gotti after a difficult 2021/22 campaign with Thiago Motta at the helm, scoring five goals in just nine appearances so far this season. Interest from Patrick Vieira comes after Fulham actually submitted a bid worth £11.5m for the 26-year-old back in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which Spezia rejected as they deemed it too low an offer.
TONEY REVEALS ADMIRATION FOR DROGBA
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has revealed his admiration for two strikers including Didier Drogba who retired from professional football some years ago. The Englishman talked about Didier Drogba in a press conference held on his first day in the England senior national team camp.
DIDIER DROGBA: THE BLUES HERO WHOSE BIND WITH JOSE DELIVERED UNTOLD GLORY
Some players are mirrors of their managers, and Didier Drogba was Jose Mourinho incarnate on the pitch for Chelsea. A born winner, the Ivorian led the Chelsea front line with a fearless tenacity and world-class ability that few, if any, defenders could cope with. As part of our Best Premier League Transfers Ever series, we take a look at how Drogba became a Stamford Bridge legend…
EVERTON EYEING IVAN TONEY SWOOP
Merseyside giants Everton are reportedly keen on signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney between now and the end of this summer’s transfer window next week. This is according to the report from the stables of English publication Daily Mirror. Everton are keen to boost their attacking options in the current transfer window and Toney as emerged as a target. The Brentfordstar has been compared to Didier Drogba on several occasions. The former Newcastle United player is not the only one to draw comparison to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba till date. Some other strikers who have been compared to Drogba in the past include Victor Osimhen (Napoli), RomeluLukaku (Inter Milan) and Moussa Dembele (Lyon).
CHELSEA AND SPURS HANDED BOOST AS STAR DROPS DROGBA AND KANE HINTS
Victor Osimhen has alerted Chelsea and Tottenham after hinting that he could be interested in a move to the Premier League at some point in the future. The Napoli frontman listed Didier Drogba and Harry Kane as his sources of inspiration in helping him shape his game and refused to rule out following in their footsteps. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to England ever since he caught the eye at Lille as a youngster. Osimhen was heavily tipped to join Arsenal or Manchester United before signing for the Serie A outfit in 2020, with the Gunners reportedly having a £76million offer turned down.
TODD BOEHLY HAS DECISION TO MAKE ON CHELSEA DUO INCLUDING OWN DROGBA
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly will need to make the futures of midfield pair Jorginho and N’Golo Kante key to his busy summer plans. The duo are just two of several players whose contracts expire at the end of next season, but they are the most important to boss Thomas Tuchel among those who could leave Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Boehly has already made strides since his consortium acquired Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May. Despite not yet making a signing, the Blues have been linked with several high-profile targets and need to replace the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Romelu Lukaku. But part of the American’s acitivity over the coming months could involve resolving next year’s problems as several stars’ contracts expire, with the most important being Jorginho and Kante. A further eight players could leave the club for free in 12 months. Continue reading “TODD BOEHLY HAS DECISION TO MAKE ON CHELSEA DUO INCLUDING OWN DROGBA”
REPORT: CHELSEA WANT TO SIGN £86M STAR WHO LOVES DROGBA
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Napoli star Victor Osimhen as a potential replacement for Romelu Lukaku this summer. The transfer rumours are rapidly increasing around the future of Blues striker Lukaku, who appears to be heading out of the Stamford Bridge exit doors. Sky Sports claims Chelsea and Inter Milan have now agreed a loan deal for the 29-year-old to join the Italians next season. According to the Daily Mail, Thomas Tuchel’s side are already eyeing up potential replacements to fill the Lukaku void.
TOTTENHAM WANT 25-YEAR-OLD WITH £15M CLAUSE WHO IDOLISES DROGBA
Tottenham reportedly want to sign Burnley speed machine Maxwel Cornet – a player that once said he idolises Didier Drogba. Burnley have been relegated, and Cornet has a release clause worth a bargain £15 million. Cornet, 25, was one of the rare shining lights at Burnley during the 2021-22 season. While the Clarets were relegated on the final day, Cornet finished the campaign with nine goals in 26 Premier League appearances.
MEET THE SCOUT WHO DISCOVERED DROGBA, VARDY, KANTE, AND HAALAND
Steve Walsh is no household name himself but he has found plenty of them, with the talent-spotter discovering N’Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and many more throughout his incredible career. Once labelled “most important influential person in the Premier League” by Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Chelsea and Leicester City scout also recommended Erling Haaland to Everton when the the teenage Molde striker would have cost just €4 million.
Walsh first made his name as an ace talent-spotter at Chelsea where he scouted Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Gianfranco Zola for the club. But the mind-blowing work Walsh did as head of recruitment at Leicester, where he helped build the Premier League-winning squad of 2015/16, truly shone a light on his unique skills. Continue reading “MEET THE SCOUT WHO DISCOVERED DROGBA, VARDY, KANTE, AND HAALAND”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MANE EQUALS DROGBA RECORD
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has equalled the record of Didier Drogba in the Champions League knockout stages after he found the back of the net during the 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League semifinal first leg encounter which was played at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Senegalese international Mane was able to equal the record set by Didier Drogba for the most goals scored by an African in the knockout stages as far as Champions League football is concerned. He equalled the record of 14 goals by scoring the second goal ten minutes into the second half. Liverpool hadtaken the lead two minutes earlier through the own goal from PervisEstupinan off the cross from club skipper Jordan Henderson.
Continue reading “CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MANE EQUALS DROGBA RECORD”